Few questions about HMO's

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

Would also love to know how a group of abused women have been smuggled in there in a deathly quiet street (and a thin as hell party wall and no window coverings) who have managed not to make even a squeak during the space of 6 months. We have seen around 6 different male adults go in there for a grand total of 10 minutes, every few weeks or so. If it is prostitution it isn't doing a roaring trade.
You really can hear a pin drop through these walls, if someone was moving around in the attic you would hear at least something.

However, it will get reported, because it is the right thing to do. I honestly appreciate all of the replies, but bristle somewhat at the word troll - who wouldn't, if writing with sincerity?

md258

I'd definitely agree with the modern slavery/drug trade source. The things that lead me to this conclusion:
1) if it had sold and was used for a genuine purpose, I would expect you to be able to find evidence of rental advertising/work being done/people moved in by now
2) the short visits are suspicious- what can you do in 10 mins other than go in, pick something up (drugs) and potentially leave something (cash). Bear in mind that it is probably hidden in the house rather than just being left on the side/floor
3) the full car dropping off and picking up sounds very much like it is the master making his slaves go into and out of the house so if there is any police interest, they'll be the ones caught. The phone call is a convenient way to check that the person in there hasn't been rumbled and to give them instructions of where to go/look

I suspect this house is just a pick-up/drop-off location rather than a growing den (you'd probably have seen some evidence of equipment going in), but I can't think of a legitimate explanation for what you have said

GDB2222

I’m just trying to understand what you are going to report? A house is empty. I’m a bit blasé about that as the house next door to me has been empty for nearly 5 years. People come and go. It is a normal insurance requirement for empty properties that they are inspected at regular intervals. That doesn’t take long, so yes about 5-10 minutes walking around and checking stuff, then they drive off again. 

Could they be growing drugs? Yes, absolutely. But your relative has seen no sign of the heavy duty lights and hydroponics being installed. And, why just in the loft? They only have to cover the windows and they can grow drugs on three floors, not one. So, there’s no evidence for that.

Modern slavery? Well, there’s been no evidence of that. It’s based on the idea that someone is busy tending the drug cultivation, for which there’s no evidence. Prostitution- in the loft? One client a week?

If you report this, won’t the police ask you for some evidence of wrongdoing? And some idea of what you think is wrong? And, you say yourself that you have no idea.

GDB2222

I suggest that you check the local council planning permission website. There may be a planning application that your relatives have not heard about. No cost to do that.

You could also check the land register to see whether it actually has been sold. £3 to do that.

YoungBlueEyes

Here’s a thought. Next time they see someone going in, make sure they’re outside when they come out again (weeding/window washing/whatever).
Strike up a conversation. Morning, beautiful day isn’t it? Welcome to the neighbourhood, I’m guessing you’re our new neighbours...? See what they say. 

Well I would... 

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

Really helpful comments, thank you!
My relative has had opportunity to speak to a small few of them - the one who said he was the husband of a Spanish family for instance - and he said he was moving in. That was 4 weeks ago now.

If the younger European lads were keeping an eye on the house, I can't see why it would take 5 of them, and why such a similar demographic?

I still think it is a HMO in the making, but it doesn't explain the key safe, and unattended tenants viewing it over the space of 4 months. And why would they keep arriving there if the place wasn't ready or furnished? I know I wouldn't. I also think the comment about potential 'drop off and pick up' is more likely than prostitution. 

It is mysterious and odd, but I have literally no reason to suspect a modern slavery issue (although happy to send a report to the website). Someone was in there in the night last week, but perhaps it was someone dossing over for whatever reason.

Will update if anything remotely interesting occurs. 

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

md258 said:

I'd definitely agree with the modern slavery/drug trade source. The things that lead me to this conclusion:
1) if it had sold and was used for a genuine purpose, I would expect you to be able to find evidence of rental advertising/work being done/people moved in by now
2) the short visits are suspicious- what can you do in 10 mins other than go in, pick something up (drugs) and potentially leave something (cash). Bear in mind that it is probably hidden in the house rather than just being left on the side/floor
3) the full car dropping off and picking up sounds very much like it is the master making his slaves go into and out of the house so if there is any police interest, they'll be the ones caught. The phone call is a convenient way to check that the person in there hasn't been rumbled and to give them instructions of where to go/look

I suspect this house is just a pick-up/drop-off location rather than a growing den (you'd probably have seen some evidence of equipment going in), but I can't think of a legitimate explanation for what you have said

The last landlord who owned it, when it was a HMO, managed to rent it out for 6 years without it ever being advertised online or locally.
I have no idea how he found his endless stream of tenants (one literally followed the other), but presumed there was some sort of local 'grapevine' for European workers in the area. I have no experience of this, so can't really say. But he never put official ads out.

The only time we have ever seen this house on the web is when it was for sale last June, with Purple Bricks. It sold within a few months  for 90k and that was it.

firsttimesellerldn

If you think something dodgy is going on you can report to crime stoppers anonymously online. If you just state the facts then the police can decide whether further investigation is warranted. Nothing wrong with reporting genuine concerns. 

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

firsttimesellerldn said:

If you think something dodgy is going on you can report to crime stoppers anonymously online. If you just state the facts then the police can decide whether further investigation is warranted. Nothing wrong with reporting genuine concerns. 

Thanks, I appreciate this, it has already been done.
What will happen, I have no idea. At this point the only thing that concerns us is whether it is to be a HMO.

Holeydel

Best read I've had all day. My thoughts echo MD258's in that it's a stash house. A slave will keep an eye on the premises / cash / products whilst the gangs (well dressed) come & go using the same key in the lockbox. It's a stretch, but the banging you heard may have been floorboards etc as stash compartments within the house were created. Keep us updated!